Postdoctoral Research Associate - Accelerator Physics

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Accelerator Physics to join a dynamic team focused on studying low-energy, high-charge ion beams. This role involves conducting experiments, performing simulations, and contributing to scientific publications. You will gain hands-on experience with advanced diagnostics and computational modeling, all while working in a collaborative environment committed to scientific breakthroughs. If you hold a recent PhD in physics and are passionate about accelerator technology, this opportunity could be your next step in a rewarding career.

Benefits

Medical and Retirement Plans

Flexible Work Hours

On-site Fitness Facilities

Employee Discounts

Relocation Assistance

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the last five years in physics or related field.
• Experience in accelerator physics and computational modeling.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments on an accelerator test stand to understand intensity effects.
• Perform simulations to understand beam evolution for low- and medium-energy beams.
• Participate in scientific conferences and publish research results.

Skills

Python

Accelerator Physics

Computational Modeling

Data Analysis

Education

PhD in Physics or Related Field

Job description

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Postdoctoral Research Associate - Accelerator Physics

We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate who will study the dynamics of low-energy, high-charge ion beams. This project will use the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) Beam Test Facility, a front-end replica with advanced diagnostics. This position resides in the Accelerator Physics Group in the Accelerator Science and Technology Section, Research Accelerator Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

You will be part of a dynamic team working on multiple aspects of this problem. You will have a chance to learn about specialized diagnostics, particularly for high dynamic range and high dimensional measurement of particle beam distributions. This project is motivated by the limitation presented by uncontrolled beam loss to the performance of high-power accelerators such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). The goal of this work is to demonstrate predictive modeling of beam distributions in a realistic accelerator, and as such includes an emphasis on computation modeling.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Conduct experiments on an accelerator test stand to understand intensity effects in the SNS front end.

Carry out measurement and analysis of beam phase space distributions, including high dynamic range and high dimensional (6D) measurements. Contribute to improved measurement and analysis procedures.

Perform simulations to understand beam evolution for low- and medium- energy beams in the SNS and test stand experiment.

Conduct studies to reveal and resolve sources of discrepancy between simulation and measurement.

Apply knowledge gained through test stand measurements to understand dynamics of the SNS.

Participate in scientific conferences, workshops, meetings and publishes results in the form of SNS technical notes and memos, workshop and conference proceedings, and scientific journals.

Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

PhD degree in physics or related field completed within the last five years.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with modern programming languages, particularly Python.

Demonstrated ability to communicate research results through reports, publications and presentations.

Experience in accelerator physics, which may include working in a control room, conducting accelerator-based experiments, and computational modeling.

Special Requirements:

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to [e-mail] with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov

View Profile

Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits at ORNL:

We offer competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain hardworking people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits includethe following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, and Employee Discounts. Relocation Assistance is available for certain positions.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: [e-mail]

#LI-DC1

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.